Those who have recently received bachelor’s degrees may enter another world of higher education--graduate school. Applications, recommendation letters, the GRE, transcripts, and personal statements are all part of the painstaking process. But during a March 24 phone interview with Krystle Oates, a University of Iowa graduate student, she explained the delicate process of applying and getting into graduate school.
Choosing the Right School
Attending conferences was one of the first steps she took to look for a graduate school.
“When I was in undergrad, I went to a lot of conferences in my area,” she said. “At these conferences, they would have all different types of universities looking for undergrad students to recruit, especially minority students, and I was able to talk to many representatives of the colleges and universities.”
Since she is receiving a Ph.D. in educational measurement and statistics, Oates said she was looking for schools that offered beneficial programs and had supportive departments in her field of study.
Application/Essay Process
Complying with the procedures and meeting deadlines is extremely important, according to Oates.
“It is important to know what is required early on because they may ask you to take additional tests or write another essay,” she said.
She checked the school’s Web site to find the requirements needed to apply. But she noted that there may be requirements for the college/university, and requirements for the department.
“You have to meet both requirements to be considered,” she emphasized.
She advised to get organized and to submit the required materials in a timely matter because possible mishaps that occur could be resolved as long as the deadlines have not been missed.
“When I first applied to grad school, they sent my application to the wrong department. The [right] department did not get my application until two weeks after I had submitted it,” Oates said. “So had I not applied earlier, it probably wouldn’t have gotten there on time.”
Moreover, writing a personal statement was another requirement Oates had to fulfill. “Make sure you answer all the questions they ask you in your personal statement.”
Additionally, she said students should ask professors for recommendations two to three weeks in advance and to make sure their GRE scores are as high as possible.
Fellowships
Instead of applying for scholarships, grants, or loans, Oates receives assistance from a different source–a fellowship.
“I applied for a fellowship, which is basically the highest source of financial aid you can get,” she said.
Furthermore, Oates’s institutional fellowship with the department at the university is a stipend, with paid tuition, health insurance, books, travel expenses, and related program expenses.
Making the Transition
Oates also participated in visitation programs offered by various colleges and universities within the United States.
“The visitation programs lasted for a weekend,” she said. “They offered to fly those who were accepted into the department.”
These visits included extensive campus tours, seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities, which allowed her to become more familiar with the campus environment.
Applying to graduate school may scare some students away, but Oates said she was not intimidated by the process. “It took me out of my comfort zone,” she said. But she strongly recommended that students who are in the process of applying to graduate school be organized, follow the procedures precisely, and do plenty of research about the university and its programs before applying because the decisions made could determine the outcome of the graduate school experience.
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